High Q-factor Fabry-Perot Microresonator as an Alternative to Microdisk in Electro-Optical Modulator for Microwave-Photonic Receivers

Abstract

In the last decade a new idea has been suggested for receivers of communication systems, namely, in microwave receivers’ architecture. Though superheterodyne radio-frequency receivers are best suited to the needs of contemporary wireless communication, however stray radiation of their local oscillator (heterodyne) interferes with neighboring radio-devices and permits to locate the covert receiver. To overcome this drawback the signal transfer to optical range has been suggested. By this conversion, not only an elimination of receiver’s stray radiation is attained but also vast advantages of photonic signal processing become available. The key element of existing microwave-photonic receivers is electro-optical microdisk modulator. However, its realization is complicated and as an alternative an electro-optical modulator based on high Q-factor Fabry-Perot microresonator is suggested. Comparative analysis of both types of modulators is performed, and advantages of high Q-factor Fabry-Perot microresonator based modulator are highlighted.